Portal showcasing North East talent is relaunched

Feb 27 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

A ONE stop shop for creative talent in the North East has been relaunched online.

Big Eye Network aims to promote artists, musicians, writers, and performers from Northumberland, Durham, Teesside, and Tyne and Wear by showcasing their talents over the internet.

It means readers, committed to putting the North East first with their spending, can now book bands or pick up pictures with their roots in the region.

The Big Eye Network was started by artist Bryonie Danby in 2005, to organising cultural showcases in the region.

When the workload became too much for one person, the 26-year-old decided to relaunch the brand as an online forum and directory last month. Bryonie, of Denton, Newcastle, said: “I initially started off in events, but it became too much work for one. I had so many contacts, and that’s where the idea for the website came from.

“The idea is to promote independent artists and performers, I want people to find out about the little guys.

“I found there were so many people doing so many worthwhile things but not getting enough coverage. It felt like it was a waste of talent.”

By prioritising local talent, the directory allows North East buyers, keen to spend money in the creative industries, to reinvest in the region.